← Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live
Zone 1150 - TexAgs Live
TexAgs Live - Paul Finebaum + Aiden Ross : 07.24.26
00:43:57
On this hour, David continues his recap of SEC media days and Aggie and The Voice winner Aiden Ross joins the show to talk about his experience with both The Voice and Texas A&M!
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- [00:01]
David Gardner
All right, we're back. Tech SAGS live. We are presented by David Gardner's Jewelers, Rollo Insurance studio hour number two of the program when we are at SEC Media Days, that was brought to you by Paragon Financial Advisors. Shout out to them. We'll talk a little bit more about them in a moment. Cade, you had a question you were going to ask that I'm going to try to answer before we go to our interviews. And you had a question or two?
- [00:20]
Cade
Yeah, I did have one. So I was wondering, in terms of. Not coaches, but players, was there. Were there a couple, maybe two, three players that were brought by any of the teams that really stood out to you, impressed you?
- [00:34]
Dryer
Hmm.
- [00:36]
David Gardner
I thought that. I thought. I mean, the Texas guys were pretty impressive, to be honest with you. I'm trying to think who else caught my attention because Arch is likable and. Yeah, I mean, but again, I'm not supposed to say that, but he was very likable. I'm trying to think who else? I have to think on that because my brain isn't working.
- [01:02]
Cade
All right, sounds good. And then what did you think about Pete Golding? I thought. I thought he was. I thought he was pretty hilarious.
- [01:09]
David Gardner
I liked him. I. I didn't have a. I didn't have any problem with him. I. Now it's gonna be really hard to answer questions about when you did something wrong. It's an investigation or potential investigation of what you did. So I understand where OB's issue was with it. I also have heard him answer about it several times.
- [01:32]
Cade
Right.
- [01:32]
David Gardner
Like, it's like, you know, he doesn't think that they really did anything, but he understands that everything that was done is just being done in. In the recruiting world, the transfer portal world. So I liked him overall, I did. I thought he was really good, and I had no problem with him. I'm trying to think some of the people that really stood out. I'm going to look through the list and I'll just tell you. Mattia was interesting. I didn't mind Mattier at all. You know, he. I like when players can look in the camera, say, hey, what's on me. We. I wasn't good enough. I like that. Try to think. Kenny Minchi was pretty impressive, the Kentucky head quarterback. Excuse me. I did like Deshaun Bishop, Tennessee running back. He was. He was impressive on A and M day. Our guys were all great. Trying to think who else? I thought Ryan Coleman Williams did a really good job as well.
- [02:23]
Aiden Ross
And
- [02:25]
David Gardner
I don't know, I just think all The Aggies, I think all the Aggies did.
- [02:29]
Cade
Alabama was one of the teams that didn't bring a quarterback. Is that. That's correct?
- [02:32]
David Gardner
Yes, correct. Correct. Hey, so I'm going to ask the audience this question that we can chew on. Which assumption from SEC media days will look foolish mid season? Okay, so there's. And you can pick the assumption. Arch is your, you know, Heisman favorite. Alabama is not back. They're terrible. A and M has arrived. These are, these are themes that have been out there. The portal solves everything. The portal destroys everything. Whatever you guys tell me, we'll kind of go through it and just discuss it in between interviews here on Tech Sachs Life. But we're going to start things off with some of our interviews from radio or digital row. Here is my conversation with ESPN's Heather Denish. And by the way, never have spoken to her before. Never. She was walking by our table and I think it was Callie who stopped her. And she's like, sure, I'll do it. And she was great. So here's our conversation with Heather Dinach of espn. All right, we're here with Heather Dinach of espn. First time I get to talk to you, but I've seen you on TV for years. How are you?
- [03:37]
Heather Dinach
I'm great. Thanks for having me on the show.
- [03:38]
David Gardner
Thank you so much. How has this event kind of grown and compared to what maybe what we've seen from the Big Ten and others, like Big Ten to Vegas, Chicago, how does the SEC's version of media days change compared to the others?
- [03:52]
Heather Dinach
Well, we're here for four days and it's because there are so many teams and the media days have grown with the conferences. I mean, that's the reality of it. Right. But also, I just think such an enhanced TV presence and just shows from morning to night and the availability, it's. I mean, quite honestly, it's refreshing because we've been talking so much nil and federal legislation. It's great to talk to players.
- [04:16]
David Gardner
I was going to ask you how your role has evolved because of the business of college football. It's always been a big deal, but like these last five years, certainly it feels like it's a different level of big time.
- [04:26]
Heather Dinach
Oh, it's a thousand times different. I tell people I cover the suits of the sport now. I mean, I cover commissioners, athletic directors, university presidents and chancellors. You know, why do I know their names? They're running holes, universities. It's unbelievable. So my job has changed tremendously. But my colleague Pete Damill, I thought he Summed it up. Great. Earlier today, he said this. We have the greatest in season sport and the worst off season. Like, you nailed it because the whole rest. There is no off season. And we always used to joke about that, but now it's really real. I mean, between Brendan Sorsby and, you know, federal legislation, I've been to the White House.
- [05:05]
Unidentified Guest 1
Like, what?
- [05:06]
Heather Dinach
I'm a sports writer, so. Yeah.
- [05:09]
David Gardner
And the off season is so long. Yes. There's things to talk about. In years past, there wasn't a. But it's just like, I just want to get to the football.
- [05:18]
Heather Dinach
Right. Right. Well, and. But the off season is long, but the Runway is shorter because the national championship is the end of January. You blink and you're in spring ball. And so it's like almost like a condensed football timeline, really, you know, in the transfer portal and coaches moving and changing, and it's more difficult than ever to come with up with a preseason top 25 because even the coaches don't know who's on their rosters.
- [05:45]
David Gardner
Well, like, we're trying to. You know, we know A and M as well as we can, and I have a lot of aspirations for them. I think they can be really, really good. Maybe back to the playoffs. Good. But when half your roster is transferred and this. But it's not just A and M. It's everybody.
- [05:57]
Heather Dinach
It's everybody. I mean, Florida's literally like breaking out name tags in spring after some Rao got there. So there's just so much in and out. But what I find fascinating is players who are telling me that new players who are coming in are quickly adapting regardless of what school it is. But honestly, I really enjoy covering army and Navy and Air Force because they are the last true locker rooms. They've been together for four years. Like, it's the last. That's it.
- [06:27]
David Gardner
What do you like about Coach Oko? What have you seen from him in your conversations? What stands out about the way he goes about his business?
- [06:33]
Heather Dinach
I just think he's a fantastic coach. And I mean, clearly he knows how to build a program. They're trending in the right direction. What's different to me is Marcel Reed. Can he take another step forward this year? I think all eyes are on him, and I'm looking forward to talking him in our room today, later today. But I think that you just. He was so close last year, and you get a taste of that, and that's the kind of thing that you can build on. The flip side of that, though, is all of these teams in the SEC I want to say are ranked in the top 20 in ESPN strength of schedule metric. And here's a nugget for you. Every team in the SEC has at least a 50% chance to have multiple losses. So I don't care if you're Georgia, Texas A and M, it doesn't matter. You're going to lose football games. Right. So are you good enough to be great in November? And that's the question that I have with these guys.
- [07:28]
David Gardner
I want to go back to Marcel for a moment because I feel like I brought up a lot this week. The last two games stick out, but the body of work over 12 games was really good.
- [07:37]
Heather Dinach
Yeah.
- [07:37]
David Gardner
Arch, I thought had a really good season. The last two games stick out.
- [07:41]
Heather Dinach
Yes.
- [07:41]
David Gardner
So let's talk a little bit about, like how you end a season. Season is a lot of what people talk about entering a season.
- [07:47]
Heather Dinach
It's what election committee talks about too, going into selection day. And that matters. You know, you want to lose, lose early in the College Football Playoff race and then build and finish strong. I think it's important. But for both of those quarterbacks that you mentioned, I think that's huge going into this season. But also how much better are the players around both of them? That is so critical. And I think if you can bring an influx of talent with a portal, I mean, I remember talking to Elko last year. He's saying at this time last year he was like, we're going to have double digit NFL draft picks for the first time in. I mean, I don't know. It was forever.
- [08:22]
Cade
Right?
- [08:22]
Heather Dinach
You know.
- [08:23]
Unidentified Guest 2
Right.
- [08:23]
Heather Dinach
Yeah.
- [08:24]
Paul Feinbaum
Right.
- [08:24]
Heather Dinach
And. But to be able to have that kind of talent and consistently reload, I think is the key to that quarterback development throughout the rest of the season too.
- [08:32]
David Gardner
Which is why in this era, and you could always do this, the brand matters. And what I mean by the brand, not necessarily the logo. The coach. Kirby has done it for a while now. Signetti is going to have to try to do it again. The replicate Elko is trying to replicate 11 wins and beyond. It's really about establishing your culture and being able to do it again and again.
- [08:51]
Heather Dinach
It is. And selling that in the portal on the recruiting trail and being able to maintain that. But I go back to what I just said. Like Elko is not the only one doing it. You know, everyone is competing at this elite level and with nine conference games, it's more difficult than ever in this league to win it.
- [09:10]
David Gardner
Yeah. Let me close out with this. Do you think over the next couple of months we're going to get some kind of fix to all this. Like, you have the recess coming up. We've got like, do you feel like, and maybe in the next five years, a college football commissioner.
- [09:24]
Heather Dinach
I do not see a college football commissioner happening because I think the current commissioners are too clinging on to the power and the money that they have, let's be honest here, to relinquish that. But I also think that we're not going to see a fix to this immediately because I know how the United States Senate works, I know how Congress works. And there's literally a window right now of about two weeks. So here's the question that I think they're going to have to answer. Is a federal legislation, is a bill that they're not happy with better than no bill at all? Because I think that's, that's what we're going to get to, you know, so. And I asked Greg Sankey that. He basically said, we'll find out the answer to that when we have to make that decision, which was the most Sanki answer ever.
- [10:15]
Paul Feinbaum
So.
- [10:16]
Heather Dinach
But, you know, they need a plan B and that's what this breakaway talk is. But it's more about creating legislation within the sec.
- [10:23]
David Gardner
I appreciate it. Thank you so much.
- [10:24]
Heather Dinach
Yeah, my pleasure. Thanks.
- [10:25]
David Gardner
They're doing ESPN here on Tech Sachs Live. Alrighty. Thank you to Heather Dennis for doing that interview. I'm so blessed to do the show with you guys. All right, so let's get to the question that I asked. All right. Because there's narratives out there and I know Cade's already got an answer for stuff, but what assumption from SEC media days will look foolish by mid season? Kade, you had the opposite of that question, right? Is that what you did?
- [10:49]
Cade
Yeah, yeah, I had the opposite. So one thing that I think is going to. Everybody's going to realize like, wow, that we were bang on with that. Is that Camario Taylor for Mississippi State? That kid's going to be really good.
- [11:00]
David Gardner
I agree. A couple things. The dude is. He's huge, enormous. Like K.J. jefferson's. I mean, I don't remember how, but this guy's even bigger than K.J. jefferson.
- [11:10]
Cade
He's more athletic.
- [11:11]
David Gardner
Yeah, this guy's 6, 4, 2, 30. Last year did not play much, but when he played was 629 yards passing, five touchdowns, one interception at Mississippi State. Okay. So. And I know that they're super excited about him. They had a hard time protecting the quarterback last year. This guy, he, he's going to be a problem. And I think I said it at radio row or digital row, whatever they want to call it now. I'm pretty sure I said this and if I, if I'm repeating myself, 15 hours of radio, you'll hear things often. I'm glad Mississippi State's not on the schedule because you get nothing. It doesn't benefit you at all. They are a very hard team to beat regardless of where you play them and how you play them. Okay, they're hard team to beat. And if they beat you, what does it look like? And if you beat them, you're supposed to, but they can beat you. You can say that about all the teams in the sec. I know, but after as many battles of going to Starkville and seeing how difficult that place is to win, I'm kind of happy we're not playing them. I'm okay with playing Arkansas. I do know that that game last year was never really in doubt. Different coaching staff. Okay, I know that game was never in doubt, but like if you made one mistake, it felt like they could score with you every time. Right. So. And that, but that's the life in the SEC overall, so you know, get used to it. So the other narratives and dryer, you can speak into it. Do you think this narrative is going to be proven false by mid season, Texas and Georgia are clearly the SEC favorite.
- [12:53]
Dryer
Well, I think Georgia schedule is by far one of the easiest in the
- [12:57]
David Gardner
conference especially it's not easy. But yes.
- [12:59]
Dryer
Like for Georgia I feel like their schedule is really easy and so I think that they will for sure end in first place in the sec.
- [13:09]
David Gardner
Let's see, the very first time they get. Well, they get tested against Oklahoma September 28th. They do go to Alabama, Auburn. We don't know who they're going to be. But you're right, like they avoid Texas this year. They avoid Texas A and M, of course, because they never play Texas A and M and no LSU either. Lsu, yeah. So yeah, very favorable for an SEC draw. And they're Georgia. Like to me they had a hard schedule last year and they did just fine. They didn't win the national championship, they didn't win in their playoff game. I get it. But that's Georgia, Texas. I think this year does get a much harder draw if you put up their schedule. I am of the opinion they're going to beat Ohio State at home. I feel like they've been thinking about that game. I think Ohio State's got a lot of questions too. And they have a very hard schedule but obviously a toss up game. I think where we'll know how good Texas is. Is that Tennessee game?
- [14:03]
Dryer
Yeah, Tennessee and then Oklahoma.
- [14:05]
David Gardner
Yeah, they've owned Oklahoma the last few years. Stark has done a great job against his rivals, but I think that Tennessee game because Tennessee is good enough and depending on how good their quarterback play is, they could be really good. But I think they're. They're a team that if they can at home especially they can beat you and they can put a spanking on you. And like Olin said in the first hour, they're one team that I left media days after talking to several media members and hearing what Hypo had to say in the players desean Bishop that I'm like maybe I've been kind of cutting their legs off too early. Like they're probably better than I've been giving them credit for.
- [14:43]
Dryer
I feel like everyone either has the narrative of they're going to the playoffs or they're going to be awful. Like I feel like there's no in between and I think it's partly because of the quarterback position but once they get that figured out.
- [14:57]
David Gardner
Speaking of in between, I think there's an in between with Arch Manning. Okay, that's the next. Because just like last year there's this camp. He's going to be great and he was terrible.
- [15:08]
Paul Feinbaum
Right.
- [15:08]
David Gardner
And oh, you can't give him credit for the last two games only you got to look at the. I understand both camp when he was struggling, I don't think he was as bad as people said when he was elite. I don't think he was as elite as people said. But he made game winning plays. So is he already elite? He's got to be. In your discussion of the top tier quarterbacks in the SEC as I think Marcel should be right. And others. So I'm not projecting greatness per se but with the weapons that he has at his exposure and with what he is able to do. Yeah, I think, I think that one would not be proven. Oh, he'll be elite. Ish.
- [15:45]
Dryer
I feel like you could say the same about Marcel with the weapons he has and what he's shown he can do.
- [15:50]
David Gardner
Yeah, yeah.
- [15:51]
Cade
Well. And. And Arch, he. He. He managed and won the game against A and M. He managed that game very well. But when you look at the, the actual numbers from that game, less than 50% of his passes completed. He really, he really beat the Aggies on the ground with his legs being able to work the pocket. And especially in that second half it was a lot of just. He wanted it more. He wanted that win. It Was a lot of grit. More so than it was him being an elite quarterback. Elite quarterback play.
- [16:22]
David Gardner
Alabama. People are really down on Alabama and I'm not as down on them as everybody else because I'm jealous they won a playoff game. I'm jealous that they got to go to the SEC championship game. And sitting in a chair as a Texas A and M, you know, platform to talk about Texas A and M. It's a hard time for me to say, oh, Alabama. What I will say is you can't lose playoff games the way they lost playoff games. I'm trying to think, guys. And you may have to do a quick Google search. When has A and M in the last few years, I'm talking even in the Jimbo era, got beat down. The Jimbo era, when things were going south, I felt like there was just stupid mistakes. But like I'm talking like a beat down. When's the last time A and M got beat down?
- [17:17]
Cade
The one that comes to mind right now. And there may be something in between this, but in 2020, in that Covid season, Alabama, that was a beat down. Okay, that was. And that was the only loss on the year that season.
- [17:30]
David Gardner
But I think they lost by what, 21 points that game maybe.
- [17:33]
Cade
Yeah, that game was a beat down,
- [17:34]
David Gardner
which was the exact same loss who had to them.
- [17:38]
Cade
They beat everybody by that much. They beat the Clemson. They won the national championship by that many points. Yeah.
- [17:44]
David Gardner
So yeah, but I'm. Let's say since 21, I feel like all those losses in the Jimbo era were, you know, a score. I know there was a double digit loss here or there. But my point is A and M has not been embarrassed. They've been embarrassed losing the particular teams. Right. They've absolutely been embarrassed losing to particular teams. But I don't. And maybe it's because I have two hours of sleep and I have usually zero recall and today I have negative of that. I don't remember them like just getting destroyed now, maybe. Destroyed in the trenches, maybe. But I'm saying like Jimbo was really good at keeping games close even when they were the team that should lose. Right. He wants some big games too. And Coach Elko has not been beat down at all. So can you find a last beat down?
- [18:40]
Dryer
I'm looking right now. Right. I'm on 20, 21. I haven't seen any. But I also haven't gone through all these years.
- [18:47]
David Gardner
My point is, and again, please don't clip this and think. David doesn't think A and M's has some Rough ears. No, I'm just saying, like there has not. When you lose the way they did in their last game. Now we all talk about how A and M lost to Texas and how they lost to Miami. Those were manageable games. Fourth quarter play goes differently in Texas. You feel like you're in it. Miami, you're on the goal line with a chance to tie the game and go into overtime. But when you lose in the playoffs the way Alabama did, that's what lingers the entire off season. So that's the part that I understand
- [19:22]
Dryer
someone in the YouTube chat said the 2019 game versus LSU 50 to 7.
- [19:26]
Cade
Yeah, but well, also Reese Nygren found in 2024 that lost to South Carolina, lost by about 24 in that game. That was, that was kind of a beat down. That was after that Le'Veon Moss got hurt and then everything kind of went sideways from there.
- [19:40]
David Gardner
Yeah. Yeah. Well, and actually, if you remember, Le'Veon got hurt early. We fell in a, what was it, a 20 to 0 hole, I believe, or maybe 17 to 0 hole. Something to that. 17, 0.
- [19:51]
Cade
Got it close by halftime.
- [19:52]
David Gardner
And then, and then no, A and M took the lead.
- [19:54]
Cade
Yeah.
- [19:54]
Dryer
Yeah.
- [19:55]
David Gardner
Before half. And South Carolina, I believe, had a field goal, took the lead and was a beat down. So. Yes, and we can explain that out.
- [20:02]
Cade
Scored 24 to nothing in the second half.
- [20:05]
David Gardner
Right. That was a beat down. Yeah. So again, not many. And that one, you know, after that, you lose the Auburn game, you lose the Texas game and, you know, then you lose the USC game. All right, we'll hit a break here. Will come back. We're next going to hear from Paul Feinbaum on the program interviewed him yesterday. Our radio audience, this will be your first chance to hear that when it comes to your money, peace of mind starts with the right team. And that right team is agione Paragon Financial Advisors. They're an independent fiduciary serving clients all across Texas. No commissions, no sales pitches, just trusted advice tailored to you. They have a team of 18 professionals, including nine CFPs, a CFA and a CPA. And their expertise does run deep at Paragon because credentials matter and so does your future. Visit paragon-adv.com or give them a call 979-693-3907 to schedule your free consultation. Today it is integrity, expertise and trust Financial advisors.
- [21:06]
Unidentified Guest 2
Spend your summer with the Zone.
- [21:08]
Dryer
Summer.
- [21:09]
Unidentified Guest 1
Summer.
- [21:09]
Unidentified Guest 2
Summer.
- [21:10]
David Gardner
Yeah.
- [21:10]
Unidentified Guest 2
This is only 11:50am and 93.7 FM where football has no off season.
- [21:16]
David Gardner
Back here on TexAct Live, we are presenting Presented by David Gardner Schilders. We are in the Rollo Insurance studio. We did ask the question of beat downs in the last few years, and South Carolina came up in 24 and then Florida in 22. Correct. The flu game, if I remember correctly. I believe the Florida game was when everybody had the flu. And I think A and M actually made it interesting in the first half. I'm trying to get to the recall. And Florida just took advantage in the second half. But, yeah, those are games that fall into that category of being embarrassed. So, anyway, let's get to our interview with Paul Feinbaum. Paul joined us yesterday on the program. We talked about Coach Elko, his expectations, and a couple jokes or two in there. Check it out. Paul Feinbaum on Tech Tech live on the show. And the great Paul Feinbaum with us. How are you, sir?
- [22:03]
Paul Feinbaum
I am doing great. I was just joking about what an athlete you were. I saw you in the gym this morning.
- [22:07]
David Gardner
I was making a fool of myself.
- [22:10]
Paul Feinbaum
Was that MMA or.
- [22:13]
David Gardner
Yeah, yeah.
- [22:13]
Paul Feinbaum
Okay.
- [22:13]
David Gardner
I broke my finger doing it. I don't know if you can tell. I got this little cast I wear.
- [22:18]
Paul Feinbaum
I was literally doing nothing while you were. You were scaring me in case I, like, accidentally got in your way that you're gonna, like, do a sidekick and a kidney punch.
- [22:26]
David Gardner
I only do that just in case Billy crosses me one day. Great to catch up with you. What has this week been like for you this. This year in particular? Like what. What stands out to you?
- [22:37]
Paul Feinbaum
Well, it's.
- [22:38]
Dryer
It's.
- [22:38]
Paul Feinbaum
It's a little quieter being in Tampa. We lost the 300 Alabama fans that used to hang out at the. At the lobby of the. Of the Winfrey there. But it's still, to me, more than anything, more than Lane Kiffin, more than what Mike Elko told us yesterday, more than all the coaches. It is a flare in the sky that college football is back. And I'll give you a quick example. I did about 20 minutes ago, I did. I wrapped up doing First Take this morning with Stephen A. Smith. We spent 26 minutes at the beginning of the show debating Kiffin and Kaiwin DeBoer. And why is that important? Because that's probably the first mention of college football on that show in four or five months. And as a fan of college football, you want people to know that it's as good as we see it every day. And, And I realized World Cup, Knicks, all the things. But it told me, okay, the season's here. The rest of the world is paying attention. We always pay attention.
- [23:42]
David Gardner
Mike Elko I feel, and I think the national media feels this way, too, is building the right thing at Texas A and M. There are question marks this year. Offensive line, defensive line, where are you on Texas A and M this year?
- [23:53]
Paul Feinbaum
I feel pretty good in talking to him yesterday. Came up on our set. Now, I always love talking to this guy and, you know, part of the reason is he's just. Just smarter than everybody else.
- [24:06]
David Gardner
He is.
- [24:07]
Paul Feinbaum
I mean, he does not, you know, give you all the nonsensical coach speak cliches. And I just. The issue with A and M is, you know, can they navigate the schedule? And they have a terrible schedule. There's no getting around that. They're going to have to win some of those road games and that will be the difference between making the playoffs or not.
- [24:36]
David Gardner
I agree with that. I do think, though, he's doing it the right way. And when we. There's. There's a bunch of teams in that tier two that I think you can say the same thing about, like Oklahoma, I think they're really, really good. Difficult schedule early. Difficult schedule late. And they have some question marks.
- [24:51]
Paul Feinbaum
I hate their schedule even more than
- [24:52]
David Gardner
A and M. Yeah, they. Ole Miss. I don't know what they're going to be like under Pete Golding this time without the rest of the pieces around them, but they should be really good. They got Trinidad.
- [25:00]
Paul Feinbaum
And I read something today. There are certain schedules in the SEC that are favorable. I think Alabama has one. Vanderbilt has a good schedule. Georgia, I was reading, I think it was Penn State. Three of the top five teams in America are Ohio State, Indiana and Oregon. They don't have to play any of them. And when you get the bad luck of an Oklahoma or an A and M, it causes a lot of pressure. And last year A and M had the favorable schedule. They managed it incredibly well.
- [25:31]
David Gardner
Marcel Reed, I think, is an interesting case study because I think he was excellent last year. But there are these question marks because the way the season ended and the. And the turnovers. But the way the season ended, I think is why we're talking about him a certain way. The beginning of this year.
- [25:47]
Paul Feinbaum
This show digs deep. You talk about the things that the various elements of the A and M program from a distance, the only thing people remember is that interception. That's the last image. It's the one that gets replayed over and over again. And that's too bad, and it's unfortunate. I remember sitting in Knoxville last year on the Friday, maybe the Saturday morning before the. No, let me think. It was Friday morning. It was Friday afternoon because the game was Friday night. And we were planning our Saturday SEC Nation show, and we had Marcel Reed booked on the show. And the conversation was, is he now in the Heisman race?
- [26:34]
David Gardner
Yep.
- [26:35]
Paul Feinbaum
That game knocked him out of the Heisman race. The CFP game against Miami damaged the perception of him. Not who he is, not who Mike Elko thinks he is, not who you think he is. But if you're a casual fan, you go, that guy, look what he did.
- [26:53]
David Gardner
Last thing for you. Let's talk about the future of college football. Do you think we're going to be able to fix this mess we're in and not. Not through Congress over the next two weeks, but over the next three to five years?
- [27:03]
Paul Feinbaum
No, I don't think it's fixable because it's like. And I don't know anything about architecture, but if you have a faulty house and you keep, you know, putting duct tape on the problem, it's eventually going to collapse. And the problem is that college football is going to collapse. I don't know when, I don't know what the next iteration of it will be. It won't be the SEC breaking away, but it's not sustainable. College football did something really stupid a year and a half ago. A little bit over a year ago, they agreed to this House settlement. Every school had to give $20 million. That accomplished nothing.
- [27:43]
David Gardner
Right.
- [27:44]
Paul Feinbaum
If they had gambled and gone to court, it still wouldn't be heard. And maybe later on they would have realized or maybe they would have won and spent the next 10 years appealing the verdict. But it was agreeing to that and then immediately realizing our only solution is con. And I've heard. I've heard more deceptive things coming out of the congressional situation. I'm not even sure that's going to fix it. I think it's another band aid.
- [28:13]
David Gardner
Paul. I appreciate your time, sir. Thank you so much. Great seeing you, as always.
- [28:16]
Paul Feinbaum
I will never get in your way. If you're late at night, if you're angry, I won't.
- [28:20]
David Gardner
Race you on a treadmill. I saw you going. Thank you, sir. And we're back. I didn't know we were back. Hey, Aiden Ross is in studio. We're going to talk to him on the other side. Before we do that, though, you get to hear a live spot aid. And you'll like this, actually. Yeah, I think so. Guarantee bank and Trust. They were established back in 1913. They've got over a century of experience serving Texans as one of the most respected community Banks they proudly serve Aggieland Azure Community Bank. They've got three great locations here in the bcs. Their market president is Brandon Sears. He's an Aggie. He is great. He's involved in a lot of things here in town. And they want to make local decisions with people that you know and you trust and that is guarantee bank and trust. Every decision is shaped by helping their community. You're going to walk in there, they're going to know your situation. They're going to take great care of you, whether you're looking for financial education alone, whatever it may be. But the good folks at Guaranty bank and Trust take care of you. The website gnty.com that is gnty.com Guaranty bank and Trust, a division of Glacier bank member FDIC equal housing lender.
- [29:17]
Unidentified Guest 2
The Houston Astros. The Houston Astros play on the zone thanks to Kelly Bird Dozer.
- [29:23]
Dryer
We're back.
- [29:23]
David Gardner
Tech sags live presented by David Gardner's jewelers, Rollo Insurance studio, Aiden Ross studio, Consol's own, College Station's own and Aggie. And of course the winner of the Voice here. And he's going to have a big event September 18, Rudder Auditorium before the Kentucky game. One of the biggest weekends in Aggieland. Performing a huge performance. Aidan, welcome to the show.
- [29:42]
Aiden Ross
I'm so, so happy to be here.
- [29:43]
David Gardner
Thanks, man. I appreciate it. So I'm going to make Aiden, I don't know, laugh or angry on this one. We were talking about somebody on the Voice and he's like, yo, that guy's pretty old. He's almost 50. And I'm like, dude, I'm almost 50. I'm just kidding. So how's your life changed?
- [30:00]
Aiden Ross
It has been. I mean, of course the past, like year has just been a whirlwind. Like since winning the show, I've just been in back and forth from LA so, so many times. But we've really just like after the show, we wanted to take the time to really work on a body of work and I will be releasing, releasing an EP and I'm super excited about and I'll be debuting all those songs and then some songs from the show at this writer show.
- [30:27]
David Gardner
So. And I want to talk about that show in particular for sure. But take me back. I want to go like, how did the Voice even become a thing?
- [30:34]
Aiden Ross
I honestly, that's a great question. I do remember being like, for you.
- [30:38]
David Gardner
I'm sorry.
- [30:39]
Aiden Ross
For me. Okay.
- [30:40]
David Gardner
I don't know the history. Some guy named Bill started.
- [30:43]
Aiden Ross
I'll tell you what, I Was six years old when the show debuted, and I remember being. I remember, like, with being with my family in the living room, like, pretending to turn, like, my imaginary chair and, like, picking my team. And then college rolls around, and, like, I. I grew up watching this show, you know, and I knew, like, I knew music was something that I loved, but I didn't know that there was a space in it for me. And then freshman year of college rolls around, and I don't know why it took taking calculus again, because I already taken it in high school. For me to be, like, you know, like, really trying this music thing would be cool. And so I sent in an audition on a leap of faith and got a call back and so forth. And then I found myself in the position I am today and being, like, being, like, behind. Like, I have the entire Aggie community behind me as a foundation, and because of that, I feel like I owe it to them and to myself to give this thing the best shot.
- [31:36]
David Gardner
So what is the process? Like, are you shooting for? Like, how kind of take me through somebody who isn't as familiar behind the scenes. Are you there for a long time? Like, at what point did you know, dude, I might win this thing?
- [31:51]
Aiden Ross
When this thing is really hard? Because I got there for the first time. And honestly, throughout the show, I grew so much. I remember being there for the first time in LA with all the other people because they had both of season, like, 28 and 29 there for filming. And I just remember being there and being like, wow, like, these people are the real deal. Like, these are, like, people here to sing on a vocal competition show. And I felt like kind of like an underdog because I was. I was a lot younger than most everybody. And also, just like, I don't. I honestly don't think I was as strong as some other people were at the beginning, but the entire process really just, like, chiseled away at me, and I think I came out the end of it, like, way stronger. Yeah.
- [32:33]
David Gardner
So is it the coaching you got and you put your head down and did the work? Is that what you mean by chiseling?
- [32:39]
Aiden Ross
Exactly. We had vocal coaches working with us behind the scenes. Niall particularly. I picked him originally because I just. I thought he was a cool guy. And I was right in the sense of people always ask me what. What he's like, and I always say he's just a guy in the best way of, like, obviously he's incredibly successful and famous and whatnot, but he is still like. Like, we're together and we're just talking about golf, you know, which is like, a really cool thing to share with somebody like that. But what he really helped me with was just like, finding the heartbeat of a song and being able to really just like, emotionally connect, to be able to like, deliver the song the way it's supposed to be.
- [33:14]
David Gardner
For those who don't know, what would you describe your style as?
- [33:18]
Aiden Ross
My style, I mean, super dumbed down. It's going to be pop, but, like, I'm a. I'm an acoustic guitar player. And like, I do some. I do some R and B runs a little bit like Shawn Mendez. Like, it's. It's like these ballads that kind of have like a kick drum to it, you know?
- [33:34]
David Gardner
Yeah. So Los Angeles, right? You were there for quite a while. Talk to me about, you know, College Station. It's a big town now. It's not the town that I went to college in 1999.
- [33:44]
Aiden Ross
Yeah. I mean, we got a Costco.
- [33:45]
David Gardner
We got a Costco. We got three HBs. Like, we're. But it's not Los Angeles. So was it initially a culture shock? Was it a welcome change? Kind of. Talk to me, take me through that.
- [33:57]
Aiden Ross
Well, the first time. Well, being out there for the show, we were all in a hotel room, so it was almost like. It was almost like being at a summer camp with a bunch of people of different ages, which was really cool. But going out to LA for the first time after the show was a massive culture shock. I was alone and it was a lot more vulnerable, and I was. I was really, like, seeing LA for the first time, and it was really cool. Like, it's like summer there is. Is, like, beautiful, you know, like, you can. You can walk around, you can step outside. Like, I was. I went to Aggie park like, two nights ago just to, like, play guitar and, like, hang out. And I was there for 20 minutes and I was soaked. Exactly, exactly. But that's. It's. It's not quite like that in la, but it's definitely harder to, like, find your community out there. But I definitely think I found it. One of my buddies, Cole Swenson, he was on America's Got Talent about a year ago. And he is just incredible and an incredible human. I'm super blessed to have met him. Like, he's almost like. He's like. I think he's literally like an Aggie. Like, he feels like an Aggie.
- [34:58]
David Gardner
So you talked about your style of music, but who are some of the influences? Like, when you were growing up and you were. You Know, singing songs. Who were you singing? Who were you modeling yourself after?
- [35:08]
Aiden Ross
You know, I think how I. How I became stronger at singing was actually just by singing songs that were way out of my league. And some of those songs would be like, if I ain't got you by Alicia Keys. Like, I could. I still. I still can barely sing it. But it's songs like that that really pushed me to be better. But as far as, like, from an artist standpoint, I really like. I really like some of, like, the rock elements of Shawn Mendes stuff, but I also like the emotion from, like, Daniel Caesar. And then growing up with, like. Like, John Legend was a household name for my house. Like, all of me. Songs like that, Ordinary people, All those songs are very, like, cumulative in my artistry.
- [35:49]
David Gardner
Yeah. So excuse me for not knowing. What is life like after the Voice and I'm not meaning, like, going to the stores, although we'll get into that. Like, what are the expectations? What do you think your life's gonna look like from a work perspective for the next 12 months? 36 months, you know, after.
- [36:05]
Aiden Ross
After winning the show, I had. I stumbled upon an incredible management team, and I kind of decided for myself that, like, I really wanted to do things the right way. And having grinded so hard for all those months on the show, I wanted to take a step back and. And really just work on, like, writing and, like, creating a body of work to, like, show everybody and be like, hey, like, you guys gave me this platform and helped me and voted for me to win this show, and now I want to take a step back and, like, work on something to give to you guys. And that has been this EP I'm going to be releasing soon and playing at the show.
- [36:39]
David Gardner
So when you got invited to Los Angeles, did you, in the back of your mind, think, you know, this will be fun, I'll just take it as far as I can and we'll see? Or were you like, I'm going to find a way to be the biggest thing possible?
- [36:52]
Aiden Ross
I think it was definitely both. You know, it's really hard, like, especially when you're there with that many incredible, incredibly talented people. It's really like. Like, at the beginning, I was definitely not like, oh, yeah, I got this at all. But I was like, wow, these people are talented, but they're also incredible people. And it was really cool to see how it. Of course, it's a competition because one of us goes on and one of us goes home. But it didn't feel like that for us. Like, we were all helping Each other with our songs, choosing which high notes to do or which runs, whatever, and really just helping each other be the best versions of ourselves. And so that was a really. That was a really cool aspect of the show. Like, the relationships you see on the show are like. You can't fake it. They're so real. And now I have some best friends all over now.
- [37:39]
David Gardner
So you grew up wanting to be an Aggie?
- [37:41]
Aiden Ross
Of course, yeah.
- [37:42]
David Gardner
Living here.
- [37:43]
Aiden Ross
Yeah. I think we moved here when I was three months old. And so it's been called Station for all I can remember. My mom was an Aggie, my brother was an Aggie, sister was an Aggie. I'm an Aggie. So.
- [37:55]
David Gardner
Yeah. And you're taking some classes still?
- [37:56]
Aiden Ross
Of course. Yeah.
- [37:57]
David Gardner
Yeah. And you can do that? Is it remote class? You can take them anywhere.
- [38:00]
Aiden Ross
I can. I can. It's really. I'm actually really fortunate, I think. I think as crazy as Covid was, there were a couple cool things that came out of it, especially specifically being that there are a few online classes that, like, go towards, like, my degree that I can still do. And it's really cool because those classes are kind of grounding for me.
- [38:19]
David Gardner
Yeah.
- [38:19]
Aiden Ross
Because, like. Because it's. It's really. I get into the rabbit race sometimes with the music thing, and so to be able to step back and be like, okay, like, I finished this assignment. I turned this in. It's really nice. And also, just, like, staying in the community, like, that's something I really want to do this year, is I want to, like, I want to be in Aggie land and I want to be here because, like, honestly, I just miss it. Like, I love these people so much.
- [38:41]
David Gardner
Well. And do you follow Aggie football?
- [38:44]
Aiden Ross
Yeah.
- [38:44]
David Gardner
Yeah, I do. Yeah.
- [38:45]
Aiden Ross
We had a really. We had a really great season last year, and, yeah, I think we're. I think we're gonna do it again this year.
- [38:51]
David Gardner
I hope so, man. I hope and I hope it goes even further. You've been to Kyle Field for games?
- [38:55]
Aiden Ross
Of course. Yeah, of course.
- [38:56]
David Gardner
So you've lived the whole thing, right?
- [38:58]
Aiden Ross
Yeah, no, I've been. I've been naggy since before I started college here. I'll be technically in my junior year this upcoming. Yeah.
- [39:05]
David Gardner
Okay. And then talk to me about the 18th. Like, let's. Let's get deep into it. People can buy tickets right now, right?
- [39:11]
Aiden Ross
Exactly. Tickets are public right now. Get them while you still can. I am. I'm so pumped for this show. It's going to be the first show of this size that I've really ever played. Because even for, like, the Voice, like, I had the massive online audience. Right. But actually, there. There were only about, like, 3. 3 to 500 people. And Rudder being a 2,500 person show is pretty big. And I'm also. I'm also going to be playing, like, a lot of original music, which is going to be, like, a pretty vulnerable thing, But I'm so freaking pumped, and people are going to be able to make a whole weekend out of it. I'm going to make a weekend out of it. I'm going to play my show, go to the Kentucky game, and have a great time.
- [39:56]
David Gardner
Yeah. And how did the idea come? Like, I mean, in the back of your mind, you're like, one of my biggest shows is going to be home.
- [40:02]
Aiden Ross
It was always that. It was never. That was always. There was always going to be a homecoming show. And we had been trying to plan this for months. I'm so glad that we were able to land it.
- [40:13]
David Gardner
Is it almost. I don't want to call it intimidating, but that's the only word I can think of right now to do it. Because you said vulnerable in front of people that you've grown up with and known, and it's your community. It's different than when you're doing it on a stage with the cameras around you. Right. Or doing it in Los Angeles where people know you, but they know you for these people here have known you since you were a little kid. Right. So you were six months old when you moved the town.
- [40:35]
Paul Feinbaum
Mm.
- [40:36]
Aiden Ross
Yep. That is. You know it. That's a really. It's pretty. It's a bit of a difficult question because it is really true that singing in front of five people can be scarier than singing in front of a hundred, because you're looking into the eyes of those five people. I mean, so there will be a piece of me that's like, wow. Like, all these people that have watched me grow up are, like, seeing me do this now, but at the same time, like, I've always. I've always loved music, and if you knew me, you knew that I loved music. And so part of it, some. A lot of it's less fear and more just, like, excitement to show. Like. Like, hey, like, you supported me since I was, like, a baby.
- [41:11]
David Gardner
Yeah.
- [41:11]
Aiden Ross
And, like, here I am doing this, like, for you and for me. And it's really cool.
- [41:14]
David Gardner
Before I let you go, remind the audience who some of your judges were and a little bit of the backstory, because you were telling me Snoop Dogg gave you something?
- [41:21]
Aiden Ross
Yes. Snoop Dogg gave me a chain, actually. So he gave chains to all of the people that were on his team and I was not on his team, but I really wanted a chain. And so after the playoff round, I was like, snoop, I know I'm not on your team. What do I have to do? And he was like, you've been had one your way, man. So I reminded him at the finale. And then the night that I won, his manager delivered me a rose gold chain. I should have brought it.
- [41:46]
Cade
I should have brought it.
- [41:46]
David Gardner
All good, man. Well, you know what? Hopefully you can join us again before the Kentucky show. You can bring it there for sure. And I appreciate it, man.
- [41:53]
Aiden Ross
Thank you.
- [41:54]
David Gardner
Congratulations on all your success. We'll be watching.
- [41:56]
Aiden Ross
All right, thank you.
- [41:57]
David Gardner
All right, we'll hit a break. We'll come back with a short final Segment on the 9 o' clock hour before Billy joins us here on Tech Sax live.
- [42:04]
Unidentified Guest 2
Listen to the zone on the Zone app. Download the app. Thanks to Loyalty Plumbing, the pros at Loyalty Plumbing are ready to serve you. Aggie land.
- [42:11]
Aiden Ross
Oh, that's good stuff.
- [42:12]
Unidentified Guest 2
Visit loyaltyplumbingllc.net I'd like to get a
- [42:16]
David Gardner
necklace from Snoop Dogg, I think. Cool. Can you see me with a big
- [42:22]
Dryer
old necklace, like a chain?
- [42:24]
David Gardner
Yeah, maybe. Yeah. Necklace, chain.
- [42:25]
Dryer
Yeah. I feel like you could go to those meetings.
- [42:28]
David Gardner
Yeah, I go to the meetings. I want a big Jesus piece, you know, that's just big.
- [42:32]
Dryer
All right.
- [42:33]
David Gardner
A superhero emblem. Yeah.
- [42:35]
Dryer
You should have had it in more to media days.
- [42:37]
David Gardner
Yeah. Yeah, you're right. By the way, as a reminder, the final segment of the program is brought to you by Double Dave's. That's at 1050. But right now, caller number 12-979-693-1150. We're gonna hook you up with your choice of a dozen pepperoni rolls or a large one topping pizza from Double Dave's. They've been serving Aggieland since 1984 with your favorite pizza. And of course, those world famous pepperoni rolls, reliable in house delivery, bringing piping hot goodness straight to your door. Just click on DoubleDays.com and your favorites are on their way. My friend Steve sent me a text.
- [43:05]
Dryer
Okay.
- [43:05]
David Gardner
And he says, david, you're way too chipper to be coming home at 2. Do I seem chipper to you?
- [43:10]
Dryer
I feel like you're just delirious.
- [43:13]
David Gardner
That's exactly what it is.
- [43:14]
Dryer
So you're trying to make the best of it and you're just saying whatever comes into your head.
- [43:18]
David Gardner
Yeah, that's exactly Right? Yeah. Audience, do I seem like. Do I seem like my normal self? Do I seem delirious? Are you even listening right now? And if you are, why? I ask you, why? People, why are you listening? Kay. What do you think? Am I being normal?
- [43:32]
Cade
Yeah, sure, Bro, you can't.
- [43:35]
David Gardner
You're getting a little too cocky, all right?
- [43:36]
Paul Feinbaum
Yeah, sure.
- [43:37]
David Gardner
Like, recognize who runs the show.
- [43:41]
Cade
You run the show.
- [43:43]
David Gardner
Do I? All right, I think we have Billy coming up. If not, I'll just tap dance for an hour and I'll go to bed right after it. You're listening to the world famous. And when I mean world famous, I mean people from the Ukraine. Listen.
- [43:54]
Unidentified Guest 1
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